Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) was an American operatic soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Born in Meriden, Connecticut, Ponselle grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her older sister, Carmela Ponselle, was an established Vaudeville singer and brought a young Rosa… Read More
Diversity and Gender
Thomas Quasthoff, musical icon and advocate
Thomas Quasthoff is a world-renowned German bass-baritone singer and a celebrated performer of classical music. Born on November 9, 1959, Quasthoff developed a passion for music at a young age and began singing in choirs as a child. He went on to study at the Music Conservatory of Hanover, where he received training in voice… Read More
Coloratura Soprano and Advocate, Reri Grist
Reri Grist is a retired American soprano who was born on February 23, 1932, in New York City. She is known for her performances in opera, operetta, and musical theater, and she was particularly celebrated for her coloratura soprano voice, which is a type of voice that is characterized by its agility, flexibility, and ability… Read More
A Voice for Change: Remembering Nadine Roberts Waters, Operatic Soprano
Nadine Roberts Waters was a notable African American operatic soprano from Wyoming, Ohio, who rose to fame during the early 20th century. She was born on September 10, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the town of Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati. Waters started her music training at the age of 12, studying… Read More
Notable black figures in the world of opera during the 18th and 19th centuries
The field of opera libretto writing has been traditionally dominated by white, male composers. However, there were some notable black figures in the world of opera and born in the 18th and 19th centuries who made significant contributions in the field of performance and composition. William Henry Brown (1815-1884) was an African American actor, singer,… Read More